The Atlanta Falcons have likely signaled the end of a WR's tenure in a very shocking move.
Falcons' $5M veteran faces bleak future after career-best season in surprise Raheem Morris decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a huge win against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. The defense was electric, and the team got strong performances from several offensive stars. However, one notable absence on offense caught attention: wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud was a surprise scratch from the lineup. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris addressed the decision postgame:
“Coaching decision on Ray-Ray tonight, just like everybody else, anybody that you put down that's not active. Decided to put him down tonight. He'll be back out competing next week. We'll see where we go. We had everybody we needed. We got everybody we wanted tonight, and we got out there and got a big win,” Morris told the media.
The move raised eyebrows, but given McCloud’s underwhelming first half of the season — combined with Atlanta’s rumored interest in adding a receiver at the trade deadline — this could be a sign that his time with the team is nearing an end.
“The Clemson product has struggled this year, but caught a career-high 62 passes for 686 yards for the Falcons last season. His connection with Kirk Cousins didn't translate when Penix took over, as he's only surpassed 50 receiving yards in two of Penix's seven starts,” Blogging Dirty’s Jason Kandel wrote. “McCloud is a good player to keep around as an insurance option, but the fact he's getting benched for practice squad pickups means his time in Atlanta could soon be coming to an end—but whether it comes via trade or waivers is yet to be seen.”
McCloud had high expectations entering the season, even expressing bold confidence before Week 1.
“Boy, I’m excited, and I’m not gonna be surprised by any of it,” McCloud said before the season. “I’ve watched [Penix] every day for the last year at practice, and I’m just ready to see him go into an experienced year, a polished year, and see how it goes — go all the way to the Super Bowl.”
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Now, just a few weeks in, McCloud’s outlook is bleak. As the Falcons begin to hit their stride, it’s starting to look like McCloud might be getting left behind.
Category: Football
